Teach in Alabama via State Teacher Certificate Reciprocity

Teach in Alabama. We recently caught up with one of our 2015 TeacherReady graduates, Keith Owens. Upon completing TeacherReady and earning his professional teaching certificate in Florida, Keith was hired to teach Business Education at the high school level in Alabama that summer. This meant Keith relied on certification reciprocity between Alabama and Florida; and since both states are signees of the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, the process of reciprocity was seamless. Below, Keith describes the process he took to teach in Alabama:

In October, assisted by the board of education, I filled out reciprocity paperwork with the [Alabama] state department of Education, completed another Alabama background check, as they don’t accept Florida’s, and submit my FL certificate. I had the Alabama class B (Bachelor level) certificate in hand by the spring. I had to fill out a form verifying that I took content area testing in Florida, but once I completed that form and waited for the processing, things went smoothly.

Keith’s “smooth” experience with reciprocity is not unique. We hear similar stories from our teacher candidates across many states. Teacher certificate reciprocity is a win-win-win: States get to enjoy the benefits of second-career teachers like Keith. Students get the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals. And Keith and our teacher candidates win because they are able to enter a field that they are passionate about. Keith confirms, sharing, “I enjoy teaching and am thankful to have found TeacherReady. I changed careers at age 35, and while I was anxious at first, I know that I have made the right decision.”

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Know someone who would be a great teacher? For more information about earning a professional teaching certificate or license, contact TeacherReady at 850-898-3949 or visit or connect with current teacher candidates and alumni on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/teacherreadyprogram.

Become a teacher with the assistance of TeacherReady. TeacherReady offers individuals an opportunity to earn a professional teaching certificate from the State of Florida; it was developed by teachers for teachers and is a member of the NCATE/CAEP accredited Professional Education Unit at the University of West Florida.